A Nightmare to Remember

A nightmare to remember

I'd never be the same

What began as laughter

So soon would turn to pain

The sky was clear and frigid

The air was thick and still

Now I'm not one to soon forget

And I bet I never will

Picture for a moment

The perfect irony

A flawless new beginning

Eclipsed by tragedy

The uninvited stranger

Started dancing on his own

So we said goodbye to the glowing bride

And we made our way back home

Life was so simple then

We were so innocent

Father and mother

Holding each other

Without warning

Out of nowhere

Like a bullet

From the night

Crushing glass

Rubber and steel

Scorching fire

Glowing lights

Screams of terror

Pain and fear

Sounds of sirens

Smoke in my eyes

Sudden stillness

Blackened silence

No more screaming

No more cries

Stunned and bewildered

Cold and afraid

Torn up and broken

Frightened and dazed

Stunned and bewildered

Cold and afraid

Torn up and broken

Frightened and dazed

Lying on the table

In this unfamiliar place

I'm greeted by a stranger

A man without a face

He said, "Son, do you remember?

Do you even know your name?"

Then he shined a light into my eyes

And said, "Take this for the pain"

Hopelessly drifting

Bathing in beautiful agony

I am endlessly falling

Lost in this wonderful misery

In peaceful sedation, I lay half awake

And all of the panic inside starts to fade

Hopelessly drifting

Bathing in beautiful agony

"Tell me does this hurt you?"

Said the faceless man

"Can you move all of your fingers?

Can you try your best to stand?"

I asked about the others

Is everyone OK?

He told me not to worry

As he turned and looked away

Hopelessly drifting

Bathing in beautiful agony

I am endlessly falling

Lost in this wonderful misery

In peaceful sedation, I lay half awake

And all of the panic inside starts to fade

Hopelessly drifting

Bathing in beautiful agony

Day after day and night after night

Replaying the events, did they ever see the red light?

Over and over, scene by scene

Like a recurring nightmare haunting my dreams

How can you prepare for what would happen next?

No son should ever have to see his father such a mess

It's a miracle he lived, it's a blessing no one died

By the grace of God above everyone survived

Life was so simple then

We were so innocent

It will stay with us forever

A nightmare to remember